Jews in New Amsterdam

A group of 23 Jews arrived in New Amsterdam in early September 1654. They had to leave Recife and seek refuge after the fall of Dutch Brazil. When they arrived, Peter Stuyvesant wanted to send them away, but the Dutch West India Company decided they could stay as long as they took care of themselves.

This group of families formed the first Jewish community in what is now the United States. Their main place of worship became Congregation Shearith Israel. Over time, most of these Jewish families moved away. Today, people still remember this important moment with special celebrations each year.

Arrival

The group of 23 Jews arrived in New Amsterdam in early September 1654. They had left Dutch Brazil because they were no longer safe there.

When they arrived, the leader of New Amsterdam, Peter Stuyvesant, wanted to send them away. But leaders of the Dutch government said they could stay if they did not cause trouble. This group became the first Jewish community in what is now the United States. They later formed a community around Congregation Shearith Israel.

Rights

Residence

Peter Stuyvesant wanted to send the new group of Jews away from New Amsterdam. He worried they might cause problems. But the Dutch West India Company let the Jews stay. They could live, travel, and trade, as long as they did not burden others.

Religion

The company told Stuyvesant that Jews could not build synagogues or hold religious gatherings. But there are signs they were tolerated. For example, in 1658, a Jewish man named Jacob Barsimson was excused from a court meeting because it was the Sabbath. The new Jewish community founded Congregation Shearith Israel, which is the oldest Jewish congregation in the United States. They were allowed to buy a burial ground in 1656, located at "the New Bowery [St. James Place] and Chatham Square".

Trade

In 1655, the Jews asked to trade at the South River and Fort Orange, but this was denied. Later, they asked again to trade and own property, saying these rights were part of their original agreement. The company told Stuyvesant to let them trade and practice their religion quietly at home, though they could not become mechanics or open retail shops. But records show that Jews did open shops anyway.

Burgher rights

In 1657, a Jew named Asser Levy said he should have burgher rights because he served like other burghers and had these rights in Amsterdam. At first, this was denied. But the Jews appealed to Stuyvesant and the council, who quickly agreed they should have burgher rights.

Exodus

Many Jews left New Netherland in 1657. In 1664, the Dutch gave control to the English. The Jews who stayed had to promise to be loyal to the English king. One Jewish man, Asser Levy, signed this promise. He was the only known Jewish person in New York until his relatives joined him in 1680.

Commemoration

Anniversary celebrations

In 1905, people celebrated the 250th anniversary of a special group arriving in New Amsterdam, even though it happened a year later. In 1954, they celebrated the 300th anniversary for eight months, from September to May. For this big celebration, they put up a special monument and flag in Manhattan and another one in St. Louis. These designs were inspired by important ideas from the Hebrew Bible.

The 350th anniversary was celebrated from September 2004 to September 2005. There were exhibitions at the Library of Congress and the American Jewish Historical Society. This led to the start of Jewish American Heritage Month in May 2006.

Official Recognition: "Landing Day"

On September 12, 2024, the City Council decided to officially recognize Landing Day. This day is celebrated during the second week of September to remember when the first Jewish community arrived in New Amsterdam in 1654 and to honor the important role of the Jewish community in New York City.